Peaks
Morra de Lechugales
2,444 m
Park geography
Detailed landscape analysis across the Asturias, Castile and Leon, and Cantabria regions
Picos de Europa National Park Geographic Profile, Mapped Boundaries and Terrain Statistics
Examine the physical composition of Picos de Europa National Park, spanning 671.27 square kilometers across three Spanish regions. This profile details the mountain relief, elevation range from 75 to 2648 meters, and associated stream and valley systems within the protected boundaries.
Spain's first national park, protecting the limestone peaks and Atlantic forests of the Cantabrian Mountains
Picos de Europa National Park
Picos de Europa National Park is Spain's oldest national park, established in 1918 in the dramatic limestone mountain range of the same name within the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. The park spans approximately 671 square kilometers across three autonomous communities—Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile and León—making it one of the most significant protected areas in Spain. The landscape is characterized by towering limestone peaks, glacial valleys, deep ravines, and pristine lakes, with an extraordinary vertical drop of nearly 2,600 meters from the highest summit to the lowest river valley. In addition to its natural significance, the park holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status and represents one of the finest examples of Atlantic forest ecosystems in Europe, sheltering remarkable biodiversity including several endangered species such as the Cantabrian brown bear and the bearded vulture.
- Location
- Spain
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1918
- Area
- 671.3 km²
- Highest point
- 2,648 m
Location overview
Regional placement across Asturias, Castile and León, and Cantabria
Geographic Location of Picos de Europa National Park in Spain
Picos de Europa National Park is located in northern Spain, spanning the regions of Asturias, Castile and León, and Cantabria. The landlocked, non-transboundary reserve is situated entirely within Spanish territorial borders.
- Countries
- Spain
- Regions
- Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León
- Primary location
- Spain
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Interactive boundary geometry and calculated spatial measurements
Picos de Europa National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent
Mapped park outlines provide clear spatial context for the protected territory. Accompanying boundary facts detail total area coverage and coordinate spans across the protected landscape.
- Boundary area
- 664.2 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 184.6 km
- Northernmost point
- 43.3157° N
- Southernmost point
- 43.0745° N
- Easternmost point
- 4.6159° W
- Westernmost point
- 5.1207° W
- Geographic centre
- 43.1961° N, 4.8811° W
- North–south span
- 26.8 km
- East–west span
- 41 km
Elevation and terrain
Mountain relief metrics and recorded natural features
Picos de Europa National Park Terrain and Elevation Range
Recorded elevation metrics outline the vertical range spanning from seventy five to twenty six hundred forty eight meters. Associated records detail stream and valley features positioned within the protected landscape.
- Minimum elevation
- 75 m
- Maximum elevation
- 2,648 m
- Highest point
- 2,648 m
Selected named natural features
Peaks
Canto Cabronero
2,000 m
Peaks
Pico Tesorero
2,564 m
Mountain saddles
Puerto del Pontón
1,296 m
Peaks
Picu Urriellu
2,518 m
Peaks
Peña Vieja
2,614 m
Environmental setting
Temperate climate zones, mountain relief, and broadleaf forest coverage data
Picos de Europa National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
Recorded landscape features, water presence, and seasonal attributes provide complementary ways to read the physical setting of Picos de Europa National Park. Stored classifications connect recorded environmental categories to relevant regional atlas destinations.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Forest · Rivers · Glacier · Lakes
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest
Park atlas
Compare national parks and protected landscapes across the Cantabrian Mountains, expanding your geographic discovery beyond Picos de Europa National Park.
Discover More National Parks and Protected Areas Near Picos de Europa National Park
Discover other national parks and protected areas near Picos de Europa National Park, exploring the diverse limestone peaks, Atlantic forests, and glacial valleys of the Cantabrian Mountains. Comparing these regional protected landscapes provides essential atlas context, tracing shared geological formations, unique ecosystems, and broader conservation efforts across northern Spain.
Marine protected areaAsturias
63 km away#1 closest
North
El Cachucho Marine Protected Area: Submarine Seamount and Cantabrian Sea Geography
Offshore protected landscapes and deep sea terrain mapping
El Cachucho represents a critical offshore protected area, defined by its massive seamount structure and proximity to the Asturian coastline. This marine habitat encompasses a complex array of geomorphological features, including rocky escarpments and submarine canyons that channel sediment across the narrow northern Iberian shelf, offering a detailed perspective on deep sea environmental architecture.
- Area
- 57 km²
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Remote access
Biosphere reserveProvincia de León
121 km away#2 closest
West
Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses: Protected Mountain Terrain and Atlas
Mapping the Sierra de Ancares river valleys in Provincia de León
Examine the geographic layout and protected boundaries of the Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses. This biosphere reserve serves as a critical mountain corridor, featuring complex river basins and diverse forest cover that highlight the region's environmental and cultural history across the Spanish highlands.
- Area
- 567.86 km²
- Established
- 2006
- Relief
- Mountain
- Scope
- Terrestrial
Biosphere reserveLugo
142 km away#3 closest
West
Reserva de la Biosfera de Los Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerreá Protected Area Map
Mountainous terrain and river valley geography in Lugo, Spain
This protected area covers the dramatic Sierra de Ancares, featuring steep mountain slopes and deep river valleys that define the geography of Galicia. The reserve spans a significant vertical relief, providing essential habitats for brown bears and capercaillie while preserving traditional rural mountain land use systems and ancient forest ecosystems.
- Area
- 536.64 km²
- Established
- 2006
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Protected landscapeCastilla y León
143 km away#4 closest
Southeast
Sabinares del Arlanza-La Yecla: A Detailed Protected Landscape and Map of Burgos
Ancient juniper woodlands and deep limestone ravines in Castilla y León.
This protected area centers on the remarkable juniper forests and the narrow, vertical walls of the La Yecla gorge. The landscape serves as an essential habitat for cliff-nesting raptors while bridging the terrain between the Sierra de la Demanda foothills and the Arlanza River basin. The map captures the geological diversity of these limestone structures and the expansive botanical value found within this significant Spanish natural entity.
- Area
- 391.74 km²
- Established
- 2020
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Upland
Biosphere reserveBasque Country
151 km away#5 closest
East
Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai: Protected Coastal and Estuarine Geographic Atlas
Mapping wetlands, forests, and cliffs in the Basque Country
Explore the complex terrain of Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai, spanning the tidal Oka estuary to the peaks of Mount Oiz. This protected landscape is defined by its vast saltmarshes, Cantabrian oak forests, and dramatic coastal cliffs that anchor the natural geography of the Basque Country.
- Area
- 224.52 km²
- Established
- 1984
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
Biosphere reserveGalicia
168 km away#6 closest
West
Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño: Mapped Landscapes and Geographic Overview
Extensive riverine forests and wetland networks in northwestern Spain
Explore the expansive territory of Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño, spanning a large portion of the Galician interior. This protected area features a mosaic of wetlands, riparian corridors, and mountainous terrain, offering a deep look into the ecological and cultural geography of the upper Miño river basin.
- Area
- 3,636.69 km²
- Established
- 2002
- Relief
- Lowland
- Scope
- Terrestrial
Protected landscapeBragança District
175 km away#7 closest
Southwest
Montesinho Natural Park: Protected Landscape in Bragança District, Portugal
Explore mapped boundaries and regional landscape context.
Montesinho Natural Park is designated as a protected landscape in northeastern Portugal, located within the administrative region of Bragança District. This page serves as an entry point to understanding the park's protected area characteristics, its mapped geographic footprint, and its role in the broader natural landscape of the Trás-os-Montes region. Discover the atlas value of this significant protected territory and its relation to surrounding geography.
- Area
- 742.25 km²
- Established
- 1979
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Mountain
Biosphere reserveLa Rioja
199 km away#8 closest
Southeast
Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama: Protected Landscapes in La Rioja, Spain
A biosphere reserve featuring limestone gorges and dinosaur fossil sites
Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama forms a distinct mid-mountain region in northern Spain where four river valleys have carved deep passages into the earth. The area serves as a vital protected landscape containing rich paleontological history, thermal springs, and traditional Mediterranean forests. This atlas entry details the natural boundaries and geographic character of one of Spain's significant biosphere reserves.
- Area
- 1,196.69 km²
- Established
- 2003
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring the Geographic Identity of Picos de Europa National Park
Delve deeper into the specific geography and protected landscape characteristics of Picos de Europa National Park. Understanding its terrain, ravine systems, and the distribution of its unique Atlantic forest cover offers crucial insight for anyone exploring Spain's natural atlas and its preserved mountain environments. Continue your structured discovery of this significant protected area and its surrounding context.
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